Rainier School District

The Rainier Education Association said little progress has been made on a contract deal since negotiations started in June. Issues include teacher pay and class sizes.

School was supposed to start Tuesday for most grades, but it was canceled due to the strike.

Teachers and their supporters waive signs along Centre Street in Rainier on Monday. The district now says it has a tentative contract agreement with the Rainier Education Association and that school will start Thursday.

Steve Bloom sbloom@theolympian

Centralia School District

Centralia teachers also went on strike Tuesday. A district spokesman said negotiations are ongoing. But the district announced about 6 p.m. Tuesday that school would not open on Wednesday as planned.

The district posted this on Facebook Tuesday night:

“Due to the Centralia Education Association work stoppage, all schools in Centralia will be closed on Wednesday, September 5th. Schools will be closed until further notice, but please watch for daily updates each evening. Athletic activities will continue as scheduled.

“The District will be offering free sack lunches to any child age 18 or younger from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m. at both Cooks Hill Community Church and the covered picnic area at Borst Park. Lunches will be available on a first come, first served basis.”